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Duterte to Con-Com: Make me president only until 2019

'In other words, elect a president before you make the transition from unitary to federal. I would be willing to accept the proposal,' Duterte says in his speech at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Friday, July 6.

DUTERTE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the 25th Annual National Convention of the Vice Mayorsâ League of the Philippines (VMLP) held at The Bellevue Hotel Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol on June 28, 2018. Malacañang photo.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte urged the body tasked with preparing a draft for the proposed federal constitution to ensure that the version limits his power to run for the highest position again.

Duterte said this would be his proposal to the Consultative Committee (Con-Com) led by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

Puno, according to Duterte, can suggest to “make my term co-terminus with the beginning of the draft constitution.”

“In other words, elect a president before you make the transition from unitary to federal. I would be willing to accept the proposal,” Duterte said in his speech at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City Friday night, July 6.

Under the current draft constitution, Duterte is allowed to run again as president and potentially stay in power for 8 more years.

Con-Com member Julio Teehankee, who made the interpretation of the draft, said incumbent officials like Duterte can run under a new constitution which he compared it like “a reboot.”

The current 1987 Constitution bans Duterte to a reelection. – Rappler.com

Editor's Note: In an earlier version of this story, we reported that the 1987 Constitution also bans Vice President Leni Robredo to a reelection. The Constitution says no vice president shall serve for more than two successive terms. We regret the error and have made the necessary correction.

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).